Replaceable cutting edge

ABSTRACT

An earthworking implement, such as those used on a bulldozer, scraper or motor grader, has a cutting edge detachably mounted on a support thereof. A shear block projects through the cutting edge and into a recess formed on the support. At least one releasable bolt projects through the shear block and the support to attach the cutting edge thereto.

United States Patent 1191 Stepe Dec. 3, 1974 REPLACEABLE CUTTING EDGE [75] Inventor: Visvaldis A. Stepe, Willow Springs,

Ill.

[73] Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co., Peoria, 111.

[22] Filed: May 29, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 364,939

52 u.s.lc1 ..172/681,52/758F 51 1 11.01 ..A0lb39/22 [58] Field of Search 172/719, 747, 753, 762, 172/681; 37/141, 142; 52/758 F [56] 1 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 7/1909 Paul ..l 172/747 6/l9l9 Melvin....l l72/753 2,611,285 9/1952 Gross 52/758 r 2,915,152 12/1959 0111113111.... 52/758 r 3,197,895 8/1965 Cooke 172/747- Primary ExaminerStephen C. Pellegrino Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Phillips, Moore, Weissenberger, Lempio & Strabala [57] ABSTRACT An earthworking implement, such as those used on a bulldozer, scraper or motor grader, has a cutting edge 'detachably mounted on a support thereof. A shear block projects through the cutting edge and into a recess formed on the support. At least one releasable bolt projects through the shear block and the support to attach the cutting edge thereto.

12 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures BACKGROUND'OF THE INVENTION Replaceable cutting edges for bulldozers, scrapers, motor graders and like types of construction machines are normally mill-rolled and heat treated to achieve a predetermined hardness and toughness for wearability purposes. The typical cutting edge is bolted onto a supporting structure and oftentimes requires specially configured recesses and matching bolt heads to prevent turning of the bolts. The fabrication processes utilized therefor involve considerable expense and oftentimes form sharp corners which induce fracture propagation thereat. In addition, shearing forces are normally imparted to the bolts directly during an earthworking operation to thus dictate the need for numerous heavyduty bolts to insure the structural integrity thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of this invention is to overcome the above, briefly-described problems by providing combined shear absorbing and attachment means for detachably mounting a cutting edge on a support. Such means comprises a shear absorbing member extending through the cutting edge and at least partially disposed in a recess formed on the support. Fastening means releasably attach the shear absorbing member and cutting edge to the support. Such a combined structure is economical to manufacture, expeditious to assemble and disassemble and exhibits a high degree of structural integrity during earthworking operations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Further objects of this invention will become apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front isometric view of a'bulldozer assembly having a replaceable cutting edge mounted thereon;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view, taken in the direction of arrows IIII in FIG. 1, illustrating a combined shear absorbing and attachment means for the cutting edge;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view, taken in the direction of arrows III-III, in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view, similar to FIG. 3, but illustrating a modification of the combined shear absorbing and attachment means;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view, taken in the direction of arrows V-V in FIG. 4; and

FIGS. 6 and 7 are isometric views, similar to FIG. I, but illustrating the mounting of cutting edges on a scraper bowl and on a motor grader blade, respectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION FIGS. 1-3 illustrate a bulldozer assembly 10 comprising a blade 11 terminating at its lower, forward end at a laterally extending and integral support, such as a flat plate 12. A pair of reversible cutting edges 13 are mounted on the support by combined shear absorbing and attachment means 14. Such means also detachably mount a pair of end bits 15 and 16 on the lateral ends of the support in coplanar relationship with respect to cutting edges 13.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, each shear absorbing and attachment means 14 comprises a shear absorbing member 17 disposed in a rectangular recess 18, extending longitudinally along the full length of the cutting edge, and extending through an opening 19 formed through the cutting edge. The lower reduced end of the member seats in a rectangular recess 20 formed to a limited depth on the upper side of support 12. The member has .a pair of transversely disposed and diametrically opposed flanges 21 and 22 which seat in recess 18.

The lower portion of the member preferably terminates short of the bottom surface defining recess 20 to define a clearance 23 therebetween. The clearance assures full tightening of fastening means, such as three bolt means 24 having their heads disposed in a slot defined in member 17. Such tightening will function to draw member 17 and thus the cutting edge tightly against support 12.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate a support having a cutting edge 13a attached thereto by a modified combined shear absorbing and attachment means 14a. Corresponding constructions are depicted by like numerals, with the numerals shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 being accompanied by an a.

The modified shear absorbing and attachment means comprises an annular member disposed in a likeshaped stepped-down opening formed through the cutting edge. The opening comprises an annular recess or counterbore 18a seating an annular flange 21a of the member therein and a reduced annular opening 19a axially aligned therewith. The lower, reduced end of the member extends into annular recess 20a formed in support 12a to define a clearance 23a therebetween. Fastening means such as bolt means 24a attach the member and cutting edge to the support.

FIG. 6 partially illustrates a bowl assembly 10 for a scraper wherein combined shear absorbing and attachmeans means 14 (FIGS. 1-3) are utilized to secure aligned cutting edges 13' on a support plate 12 secured on a lower, forward end of a floor 11 of the bowl assembly. FIG. 7 partially illustrates a motor grader 10" wherein combined shear absorbing and attachment means 14a (FIGS. 4 and 5) are utilized to detachably mount a pair of aligned cutting edges 13 on a blade 11" thereof.

What we claim is:

1. An earthworking implement comprising a support having a recess formed thereon,

a cutting edge mounted on said support, and

combined shear absorbing and attachment means detachably mounting said cutting edge on said support comprising a separable shear absorbing member extending completely through said cutting edge and at least partially disposed in said recess and constructed and arranged for removal therefrom on the cutting edge side of said implement and fastening means releasably attaching said shear absorbing member and said cutting edge to said support and exposed on respective sides of said implement.

2. The earthworking implement of claim 1 wherein said shear absorbing member extends through an opening formed through said cutting edge and comprises at least one flange extending transversely past said opening to abut said cutting edge.

3. The earthworking implement of claim 2 wherein said flange is at least partially disposed in a recess formed on said cutting edge.

4. The earthworking implement of claim 2 wherein said member comprises a pair of transversely disposed and diamatically opposed flanges.

5. The earthworking implement of claim 4 wherein said flanges are seated in a recess extending longitudinally along the full length of said cutting edge.

6. The earthworking implement of claim 2 wherein said flange is annular.

7. The earthworking implement of claim 6 wherein said flange is seated in an annular recess formed on said cutting edge.

8. The earthworking implement of claim 1 wherein a lower portion of said member terminates short of a bottom surface defining said recess to define a clearance therebetween.

9. The earthworking implement of claim 1 wherein said fastening means comprises at least one bolt means having a head disposed in a slot formed on said member.

10. The invention of claim 1 wherein said earthworking implement comprises a bulldozer blade.

11. The invention of claim 1 wherein said earthworking implement comprises a scraper bowl.

12. The invention of claim 1 wherein said earthworking implement comprises a motor grader blade. 

1. An earthworking implement comprising a support having a recess formed thereon, a cutting edge mounted on said support, and combined shear absorbing and attachment means detachably mounting said cutting edge on said support comprising a separable shear absorbing member extending completely through said cutting edge and at least partially disposed in said recess and constructed and arranged for removal therefrom on the cutting edge side of said implement and fastening means releasably attaching said shear absorbing member and said cutting edge to said support and exposed on respective sides of said implement.
 2. The earthworking implement of claim 1 wherein said shear absorbing member extends through an opening formed through said cutting edge and comprises at least one flange extending transversely past said opening to abut said cutting edge.
 3. The earthworking implement of claim 2 wherein said flange is at least partially disposed in a recess formed on said cutting edge.
 4. The earthworking implement of claim 2 wherein said member comprises a pair of transversely disposed and diamatically opposed flanges.
 5. The earthworking implement of claim 4 wherein said flanges are seated in a recess extending longitudinally along the full length of said cutting edge.
 6. The earthworking implement of claim 2 wherein said flange is annular.
 7. The earthworking implement of claim 6 wherein said flange is seated in an annular recess formed on said cutting edge.
 8. The earthworking implement of claim 1 wherein a lower portion of said member terminates short of a bottom surface defining said recess to define a clearance therebetween.
 9. The earthworking implement of claim 1 wherein said fastening means comprises at least one bolt means having a head dIsposed in a slot formed on said member.
 10. The invention of claim 1 wherein said earthworking implement comprises a bulldozer blade.
 11. The invention of claim 1 wherein said earthworking implement comprises a scraper bowl.
 12. The invention of claim 1 wherein said earthworking implement comprises a motor grader blade. 